After Kevin Durant's departure and news that Klay Thompson will miss a significant portion of the 2019-20 season, the NBA universe all but counted out the Warriors as contenders and put a bow on arguably the greatest NBA dynasty of the 21st century.
Thompson has been quiet since the season ended, outside of being spotted in some rehab photos with his trusty sidekick Rocco by his side. However, he finally got his voice on record during an interview with ESPN's Cari Champion.
Klay Thompson on those who say the Warriors' dynasty is over: "To say the dynasty is over is a little ignorant because I'm going to come back better and even more athletic. It would not be smart to count the Dubs out." pic.twitter.com/BVshD0xzR2β Chris Montano (@gswchris) August 1, 2019
Thompson cautioned fans to not write off the Warriors' dynastic run just yet, as the team still features a two-time MVP, a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and added an All-Star guard who averaged over 21 points a game last season in D'Angelo Russell.
Speaking about his new All-Star teammate, Thompson said: "Adding D'Angelo Russell was an incredible get for us, I mean the kid is gonna possibly be a superstar in this league."
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"I think that's a little premature, to see there's no more dynasty," Thompson added while down at the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Multiplayer Reveal in Los Angeles. Thompson has been noted as a video game enthusiast in the past.
Despite all the turnover this offseason, Klay has some strong words for the doubters as he works his way back from injury.
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"To say the dynasty is over is a little ignorant, because I think I'm gonna come back 110 percent, I think I'm gonna come back even better and more athletic. And it would not be smart to count the 'Dubs out."
We've seen "China Klay", "Rehab Klay", and "Vacation Klay" in the past, but the rest of the NBA may not be ready for the return of "Healthy Klay".